Marlins fall to Phillies 7-2 on June 16, 2025, as Sandy Alcantara's struggles continue. Can the former Cy Young winner turn his season around for Miami?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another Monday, another tough pill to swallow for Marlins fans. The Fish kicked off a four-game set against the division-rival Phillies with a deflating 7-2 loss at loanDepot park, a game that felt out of reach early. The spotlight, unfortunately, was once again on Sandy Alcantara, whose rocky 2025 season hit another snag against a powerful Philadelphia lineup.
Sandy Alcantara's ERA now sits at a startling 7.14, a far cry from his Cy Young-winning form.
The hope was that a home start could be a turning point for Sandy Alcantara, but the Phillies had other plans. The Marlins ace (now 3-7) was tagged for significant damage, unable to find a rhythm against the likes of Kyle Schwarber and Bryson Stott, who powered the Philly attack. For a pitcher who was the undisputed anchor of this staff, watching him struggle to keep the team in the game has become a recurring and painful theme. It wasn't just a bad night; it's a season-long trend that raises serious questions with no easy answers.
While the offense as a whole couldn't string together enough to threaten the Phillies and their rookie starter Mick Abel, Kyle Stowers continued to be a bright spot. He battled at the plate and contributed to Miami's two runs, maintaining his solid .306 average. Alongside hitters like Xavier Edwards, Stowers is proving to be a reliable piece, but the Marlins simply need more firepower up and down the order to support a pitching staff that is currently struggling to keep opponents off the board.
As the losses mount, the quiet from the front office can be deafening. With no major roster moves or injury updates, the team is sticking with the current formula. However, this is all part of Peter Bendix's bigger picture. The organization is in a full-scale rebuild, evidenced by the 19 new minor leaguers acquired in the past year. The focus has clearly shifted to building a pipeline of hitters, with names like Starlyn Caba, Agustin Ramirez, and recent draft pick PJ Morlando representing the next wave. The present may be painful, but the future is being actively constructed in the farm system.
The Marlins are right back at it tomorrow for game two against the Phillies. A single loss doesn't define a series, but Miami needs to find an answer—and fast—to avoid digging an even deeper hole in the NL East. Can the bats wake up and provide some much-needed support? We'll find out tomorrow night. For now, it's another night of looking at the big picture and hoping the prospects of tomorrow justify the struggles of today.
